About 53 per cent were divided evenly between those who think the UN panel is correct about climate change, and those who believe the Exxon-funded Fraser Institute report refuting it.

“These people didn't get to where they are by being gullible, they need demonstrable evidence,” said Conrad Winn, founder and chief executive of COMPAS. “They are not saying that climate change is implausible. They are saying that they are questioning the evidence from the UN panel.”